Washington: US President Donald Trump has declined to endorse Vice President JD Vance as his preferred successor in the 2028 presidential election, saying it is too early to discuss the next race. Trump made the remarks during an interaction with reporters at the White House as the Republican Party prepares for the November 3 midterm elections.
Vance has emerged as a prominent name in discussions about the Republican Party’s future leadership. However, Trump has not publicly committed to backing him for the party’s presidential nomination.
Asked whether Vance could succeed him in 2028, Trump praised the vice president but said the two had not discussed the possibility.
“He is a very talented person and he is a very good person, but we have literally… I don’t think we have talked about it,” Trump said.
Vance was standing behind the president when the question was raised. He agreed with Trump’s response, saying, “No sir, I said that too.”
Trump Says Midterm Elections Are the Priority
Trump made it clear that his immediate focus remains on the upcoming midterm elections rather than the 2028 presidential race.
“It is early, very early right now. We have to get through the midterms; we will see how it goes,” he told reporters before moving on to another question.
The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. The results will determine the balance of power in Congress and could influence the political direction of the remaining two years of Trump’s current term.
Although Vance is frequently mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate, Trump’s latest remarks leave his public position on the vice president’s possible candidacy unchanged. The president has also spoken positively about other figures in his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leaving the party’s longer-term leadership question open.
JD Vance Has Not Confirmed a 2028 Presidential Bid
Vance has previously indicated that he would be prepared to take over presidential responsibilities if a serious emergency prevented Trump from continuing in office.
In an interview with USA Today in August 2025, Vance expressed confidence that Trump was in good health and would complete his term. He also said he could not think of better on-the-job training than the experience he had gained during his time as vice president, should a tragedy occur.
However, being prepared to assume presidential duties is different from announcing a campaign for the next election. Vance has not formally declared his candidacy for 2028.
The question of Trump’s endorsement has gained attention as Republicans begin looking beyond the current administration’s term. Vance’s position as vice president gives him a prominent role in the party, but Trump has yet to publicly name his preferred successor.
What the US Constitution Says About Trump’s Presidential Terms
Trump began his second term in January 2025 after winning the 2024 presidential election. His first term ran from 2017 to 2021, and his current term is scheduled to end in January 2029.
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution states that a person cannot be elected president more than twice. Trump has won two presidential elections, in 2016 and 2024.
With the 2028 election approaching in the longer-term political calendar, attention is likely to remain on potential Republican candidates. For now, Trump says the midterms must come first, leaving the question of who will lead the party in the next presidential contest unresolved.